At a United Nations General Assembly dominated by the war in Ukraine, the escalation of the Israel–Palestine conflict, humanitarian crises across Africa and the Middle East, and urgent calls for action on climate change and artificial intelligence governance, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, surprised delegates by placing sport at the center of his address. The leader announced his country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, presenting it as a project of diplomacy and mutual understanding amid the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Doha has long stood as a global capital hosting major political, economic, and sporting events, and we have submitted our bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, convinced that sport is a bridge for connecting peoples,” declared the Emir. He also confirmed that Qatar will host the Second World Summit for Social Development from November 4 to 6, 2025, consolidating Doha’s role as a regular venue for international gatherings.

Qatar and its track record in major sporting events

The announcement at the UN reflects an unusual diplomatic strategy in sport, using a multilateral forum to reinforce the international legitimacy of the bid. Delivering the message from the General Assembly ensured immediate global visibility before heads of state and representatives of nearly 200 nations, turning the bid into both a signal to the International Olympic Committee -IOC- and a message to the wider international community. Qatar highlights its recent experience, most notably the FIFA World Cup 2022, as proof of its logistical and organizational capabilities.

Beyond the World Cup, Doha has hosted major competitions over the past decade such as the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the 2019 World Beach Games, and the 2024 World Aquatics Championships. In the coming years, it is set to host the Basketball World Cup, while maintaining an annual calendar that includes top events in athletics, tennis, and motorcycling, further strengthening its profile as a global sporting hub.

Rival bids for the 2036 Olympic Games

Qatar’s proposal faces strong competition from other international contenders. Ahmedabad leads India’s bid, supported by a new generation of infrastructure projects, although the country will need significant investment and new venues. Istanbul, in Turkey, remains determined after several unsuccessful attempts, but continues to face concerns over political and economic stability.

Berlin seeks to return as host exactly a century after 1936, relying on established facilities but dealing with domestic debate over public support. Indonesia has linked its bid to its new capital, Nusantara, giving it symbolic value but raising the challenge of organizing such a large-scale event in a city still under construction.

Other interested parties include Santiago de Chile, which must demonstrate organizational capacity after the 2023 Pan American Games; North Jeolla Province in South Korea, where transport and infrastructure improvements remain essential; and several European cities still in exploratory stages, where political or social consensus is often lacking. The map of potential bids is far from closed, reflecting the scale of international competition to host the Games.

An open process and global competition

The International Olympic Committee -IOC- is currently reviewing its host city selection system following the appointment of Kirsty Coventry as president. The new leadership has paused the process to reassess the mechanisms for choosing future hosts, leaving the timeline for awarding the 2036 Games undefined.

In addition to the more advanced bids, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany (at a national level), Denmark, Canada, and even Madrid have at various times expressed interest or explored the possibility of entering the race, though only at preliminary stages and without official confirmation.

With several cities already in contention and others still exploring, the race remains wide open. By announcing its bid from the floor of the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar has made a strategic move that boosts its visibility in a process that, for now, has no fixed timeline and no official candidates confirmed by the IOC.